Commercial dasheen (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott var ...

Plate 6: Lateral suckers of the “Noir” – pink petiole, “Common” – dark green petiole
and the “White” – light green petiole dasheen used as planting material.
Mini setting (Rapid Multiplication technique)
When there is a shortage of planting material, farmers and Agricultural Stations resort to
using a rapid multiplication method. This method involves cutting mature (8-10 month
old) corms into 100 to120 g setts (horizontal slabs). These setts are treated with bleach (as
previously described), or fungicide - benlate (benomyl) 28.5 gm / insecticide – vydate
(oxamyl) 25 ml in 13.6 litres of water and placed in a humid area for sprouting. The humid
area consists of raised beds covered with plastic mulch, on top of which is placed a layer
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